Diane von Furstenberg Spring 2009 Fashion Week

Belted Ruffle Cardigan

Lace-Up Sweater and Jeans

Watercolor-Print Shift
Diane collection of spring 2009 is wearable for the trendy girls and ladies .Her collection of prints is interesting ,coordinates in the form of mix n match gives us a stylish look with use of thin belt as a separator of design .She has added more fulleness and extra comfort for the wearer with dolmen sleeves ,garment with different tiers to add on more body /styl , gathers and frills .Fabrics are light and frindly or most common colours for the season .

'Dressing for Success' - Corporate Apparel Trends for 2009

When a person is at work, his corporate attire can communicate a lot about his personality, and temperament. Clothes create an image about the wearer in the minds of other people. A business suit that does not look clean and elegant will fail to make a good impression. Apart from the work efficiency, it is also important how a person is able to present himself, as a prim image is equally important for creating a good impression. Staffs who are sloppy in their dressing affect the business image badly. Companies pay more focus towards the dress code of their employees, as it is concerned with the development of the company's brand through exposure.
Everything undergoes transformation during the span of time. Professional clothing is not an exemption to this. Fabrics have undergone a lot of changes from the simple cotton to blends of polyester, lycra, silk and many more. Companies now expect their employees to follow a dress code that will reflect an active work life.
Work wear Trends for 2009:
When is comes to the choice of work wear, current trends indicate that people do not prefer to look too formal. The formal look is obsolete, with the styles moving towards a casual look. While choosing professional attires, material should be of prime consideration as comfort is of utmost importance. The corporate trend has shifted from wearing clothes with exact matching to complementary outfits. Co-ordinated styles such as Johnny-style collars and V-necks are designed specifically for the fit of wearer. Stylish cotton blouse with a knee length skirt will be the preferred work wear by most women.
Hues for the year:
Color trends for the current year move towards the softer sections of the color segment. Neutral colors such as navy and gray will be a right choice for business suits. Black is a common color, yet, would give an elegant look for formal occasions. Distinctive olive and hues of brown would be tricky, and give a distinctive corporate look. Solid colors accompanied with an open weave sweater will be in vogue. Knee length skirts will be seen in light or medium hues giving a more professional look rather than wild colors with bold prints. Pant suits in a plain base color added with added splashes of accent colors will be in demand for this season.

CARING FOR TEXTILES

Since prehistoric times, textiles have played a rich part in the lives and traditions of people of all cultures. They have been constructed using myriad materials and techniques, and they have been made from natural fibers such as cotton, flax, silk or wool or from man-made fibers such as rayon, nylon, and polyester. Textiles can be simple in structure and composition, or they can be composite objects incorporating many materials like quills, beads, metals, paints, bones, shells, feathers, and leathers.
Contemporary household furnishings, clothing, many fashion accessories, and even fragmented archeological finds may all be classified as textiles. Pieces such as quilts, tapestries, embroideries, flags, and christening gowns have been treasured for their artistic, technical, cultural, or sentimental value.

Precautionary measures to take care textiles are-

Environmental Factors
The deterioration of textiles is largely chemical in nature. The specific factors affecting degradation are light, temperature and relative humidity, dust, and pollutants. These factors will be discussed as separate topics, but it is important to remember that they function together and frequently have synergistic effects.
Light
Light is a form of energy that can fade color and cause chemical and physical degradation of textile fibers. Fabrics and finishes, such as starches, may also turn yellow as a result of chemical breakdown. Both natural and artificial light sources can cause this photochemical degradation. The effect is cumulative and irreversible. The rate of deterioration is determined by the level of illumination and the duration of exposure. Limiting both factors will reduce damage. Rotating a collection--displaying textiles for short periods at low light levels--is recommended.
Temperature and Relative Humidity
Higher temperatures accelerate the rate of chemical reactions, speeding up the degradation of fibers, dyes, and contaminants. Therefore, textiles should not be displayed near direct sources of heat such as fireplaces, spotlights, and windows. They also should not be stored in areas inclined to high temperature, such as attics.
Relative humidity is a measure of the moisture in the air. Because all organic materials contain moisture, fluctuations in temperature and the resulting changes in relative humidity will cause objects to expand and contract. Over time, continuing dimensional changes will result in permanent damage to both organic and inorganic substances. This phenomenon is compounded in textiles made of disparate materials. A painted silk banner, for example, can be adversely affected when the silk shrinks or swells, causing the paint (which does not as readily absorb moisture) to crack and flake. Other problems associated with high relative humidity are bleeding dyes and corroding metals. Relative humidity should be kept as constant as possible between 35% and 70%, avoiding desiccation of textiles at the lower end and blooming of mold growths at the upper.
Pollution and Airborne Soils
Smog, car exhaust, and ozone are pollutants that cause chemical degradation of objects. Textiles are also subject to physical abrasion and damage by dust and gritty particles. These particles in combination with air pollutants may accelerate the rate of chemical reactions. Household cleaners, particularly those containing chlorine, bleach, and ammonia, are also sources of chemical pollution.

Bio-cotton has Colours for the Future

Source from : Fibre2 fashion
Biological cotton production has ecological and economical advantages
Why bio-cotton?
Various interest groups are strengthening the trend towards environmentally friendly production methods. Among these are farmers, consumer organisations and companies which are suffering from increasing competition and environmental regulations. For all of these, the effects of intensive cotton cultivation cannot be ignored. The growing interest of consumers in ecologically produced foodstuffs is currently spreading to other areas of ecological farming, amongst which is the ecological production of cotton fibers.
In cotton cultivation, controlled biological growing is still relatively new. Bio-cotton was first cultivated at the end of the eighties in Turkey. Meanwhile, cotton is cultivated in a controlled biological environment in 22 countries, among which are Egypt, Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, India, Peru, Tansania, China and the USA.
What is bio-cotton?
Cotton in controlled biological agricultural systems is cultivated according to previously defined standards. This system forbids the use of toxic and persistent non-bio-degradable chemical-synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. This way the soil and the groundwater are not further contaminated. The use of genetically modified organisms is also forbidden. The production of bio-cotton has many advantages:
As no chemical-synthetic fertilisers and sprays may be used, there is practically no more contamination of the groundwater and the farmers have fewer health problems.
Thanks to biological cultivation, the soil fertility is maintained and the crops remain stable over many years.
Thanks to subsidies and bio-premium, small farmers can also manage to live without requiring credit. The purchase guarantee gives the farmers a feeling of self-worth and ensures them a regular income. Cultivation and processing of biocotton during cultivation, no chemical-synthetic fertilisers and pesticides are used and genetically modified seeds are forbidden. Bio-cotton is cultivated alternately with other field crops and fertilised with dung and compost, and this maintains soil fertility.
Due to its natural characteristics, cotton became the most-processed and most-used textile fibre. It can be processed at will and is easy to dye and print on. Cotton materials can therefore always be manufactured in any desired fashion colour and colour shades and with practically any desired colour fastness. Wearing and care characteristics can be improved by using wash-resistant, fixable finishes or by chemical modification of the cellulose.
Nowadays cotton clothing can be wrinkle resistant, sanforised, low-maintenance, dirt and water-resistant and have permanent leg-line creases. There is flame-resistant protective clothing or curtains made of cotton materials, which, in extreme conditions, are resistant to decay and mildew. Finishing increases value and quality .
During these processes, the look and the serviceability of textiles are improved, providing added value. Without finishing, cotton wrinkles because cellulose fibres are non-elastic. SANFOR is the best-known trademark for shrink proof finishing. It prevents from shrinking and guarantees form stability during washing.
Mercerising: By treating the cotton with caustic soda and stretching it at the same time, the section becomes round. The result is a long-lasting shine and softness despite washing and dry-cleaning.
Calendering is a special method of pressing which gives more or less shine, smoothness and density.
Water-repellent finishing, such as impregnating: By soaking in suitable chemicals such as silicon, cotton textiles become water-repellent. But it is necessary to repeat this process after washing.
Easy-care characteristics obtained by using high-grade finishing (artificial resin or cross-linking): labeled as non-iron, minimum-iron, mini-care, wash & wear. Cotton textiles finished in this way are easy-to-wash, hardly shrink, dry quickly, need little or no ironing and are wrinkle-resistant.
Bleaching makes it possible to dye and to print textiles with light, mellow and bright colours by chemically decomposing the natural colour dye of the fibre. Finishing improves the feel and makes the material soft and pliant, such as for towelling, baby clothing and daywear. Other finishes give a full, firm feel, for instance for tablecloths or napkins. Dyeing and printing is possible with bright colours as cotton easily absorbs dyestuffs.
For the embroidery machine, there are a few points to be taken into consideration. Optimal pre-requisites for fabrics are strength, elasticity, yarn twist S/Z, number of twists, storage temperature, processing temperature of approx. 22C and a high degree of humidity of 6S to 80%.

Scarfs and You !

In woman's fashion, there is one accessory that is often completely overlooked, yet can offer endless possibilities for enhancing the look of your wardrobe. That accessory, of course, is the scarf. Scarves have been a part of women's fashion for millennia, with representations offringed rectangles of fabric found in Chinese sculpture dating as farback as 1000 b. c

Presently it has lured every teenager by its variety and multiple features of fashion statement .It has now become an interesting and one of the must companion for indian and western outfits .Beads ,sequinces ,hangings ,swrovski and emb and printing and mirror etc are used to design and fit to every ones pocket .Not to forget its an all seasons companion and can get you a stylish look and glamour to your image.

Marisa Tomei appears at the 81st Academy Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles, February 22, 2009.

Source from: petite fashion

We're not sure whether Marisa Tomei was wearing her Oscars gown or it was wearing her. She said that the pale pearl-colored gown had just arrived the morning of the ceremony, and it looked as though the bodice could have been better fitted, but the main problem with the one-shoulder Versace gown was that the rows and rows of paneled pleating on the skirt were quite overwhelming.

Designers on SO9 Spring Fashion

See what spring fashion your favorite designers sent down the runway for Fashion Week, Spring 2009:

Marc Jacobs
The king of cool sent out mixed-up separates and must-have bags at his Spring fashion show.

• Michael Kors
  Michael Kors sent his own particular brand of American sportswear -- with lots of fullness and bold with dots or stripes -- down the runway.
• Vera Wang
  Vera Wang's smart separates and sheer layered pieces stood out from the other designers on the Spring Fashion Week catwalk.
• Betsey Johnson
  Betsey Johnson just wants to have fun and her pirate-infused line of ruffles, petticoats and corsets shared that at Fashion Week.
• Lacoste
  Lacoste showed three separate collections: a voluminous beachy version of the brand with dirndl skirts and loose layers, a sporty sherbert-colored line of great pieces like bodysuits and a young version of Lacoste with cute graphic prints.
• BCBG
  Color-spliced, cityscape hues and voluminous shapes showed up on the BCBG runway.
• Tracy Reese
  Pretty, pretty, pretty. A gorgeous show with wearable prints, colors and shapes: all feminine but not too frou frou.
• Diane von Furstenberg
  Mixed prints, floaty print chiffon and sheer layers came together for a boho vibe on Diane von Furstenberg's runway.
• Carolina Herrera
  Ruffles, corset tops, rose prints and appliques all appeared on Carolina Herrera's runway for spring.

Missoni Knits feb 26' 2009

MILAN – Angela Missoni, heir to the famed knitting needle Missoni family, knows that a cozy woolen item gives both warmth and comfort.
So it was not surprising that in these difficult times her show Thursday in Milan for the fall-winter 2009-2010 was all about knit scarves in every shape and size.
Whether draped around the neck like a shawl, wrapped like a hood around the head, or sometimes so long it brushed the ankle, at Missoni the age-old accessory became the collection's leitmotif.
Sometimes worn in multiple versions in the same outfit, the scarf often hid the clothes underneath, mainly made up of lame dresses and silk tights.
For a more extravagant look, Missoni interspersed her knitwear with tufts of fur for headbands and cozy bags, as well as scarves.
Daughter of her knitting-needle parents Tai and Rosita Missoni, the designer knew not to miss a stitch. A good scarf will always sell.

Milan Loses Fashion Apitite

Source from: Associated press dtd 02/26

MILAN – Things are quite quiet in this once bustling fashion city. Just a year ago hotels were bursting at the seams during fashion week, and a trendy meal meant reserving weeks ahead of time.
"Since last July we are serving 1,000 customers less every month," said Giusi Rosellini, one of the owners of `da Ilia' a favorite fashion hang out, famous for its meat-based risotto, and branzino fish wrapped in salt.
The fashionistas' lack of appetite however is most evident at the shows.
Every season the show calendar gets thinner — down to six days from last year's 10 for this round of womenswear preview showings for the fall winter 2009-2010, and attendance diminishes.
According to the Italian fashion chamber, accredited press attendance for the current fashion week is down by more than 30 percent from over 2,000 last year to 1,100, while big stores have cut down on the number of buyers they send to the shows. More than one designer, including flamboyant Roberto Cavalli for his second line Just Cavalli, bowed out of the official show calendar.
"It's a bad moment for all," said Giulia Pirovano, of the fashion chamber's press office.
To combat the bleak recession days ahead, designers are opting for what Giorgio Armani calls "modest extravagance" with safe rather than sexy styles, and a color palette based on black and its dark spin-offs, mixed with erratic moments of bright color and sparkling glitter.
Armani opened the list of big names on this week's winter fashion calendar Thursday with a young and energetic second line Emporio collection, with short hemlines, knee socks, and high heels. Ruffles and frills on jackets and coats add a touch of the demure as do the sequins on the silk evening socks. Extravagance comes in the jewelry which is stitched directly on to the outfit.
The little black dress, usually in velvet, reigns supreme.
Angela Missoni, of the famous knitwear family, also presented a collection where the accessory became the outfit. Knitted scarves of every size and shape — from long and tasseled to cowl necked or hooded, and sometimes more than one for the same outfit — were draped over silk lame dresses skirts and tights, often hiding the garment underneath.
Sometimes the knitwear was interspersed with tufts of fur as in the cozy headbands and sporty handbags.
In these tough times, the knitting needle Missonis know not to drop a stitch. A warm wooly scarf is both a comforting and affordable fashion item.

Tie Dye collection

A unique collection of tie and dye with different effects and pattern which we can have on our garments . Managed to showcase all the tie dye colours for every occasion to match and create ones own style statement .One can embellish them with wooden beads /mirrors to give the ethenic touch and sworovski and stones to glitter for cocktail party's .These tops can be teamed with long /mini skirts and can do well with fitted jeans for that teenage look.

This will remind you of the rainbow with lot of colours and really a fun to experience the feeling of its being a colourful ellusion effect.

Next is a elegant tank top with defined tie dye pattern and macrame trim at neck make it a wonderful companion to your beach wear ensemble .The beach ,the water and of course the sun and you....

Next version is of diagonal bold stripes with beading added to have the glitter for the perfect evening wear and can be coordinated with a long flowing ctn layered skirts . Its a hand dyed process & deals with lot of experiments and creativity to achieve the better pattern and the look.A single pattern achieved at a first shot can not be achieved again by the same person and from to person handling the dyeing process differs.Colour combination and dyeing techniques play an impt. role in giving you complete balance of a good sample .This is always a designers favourite where one can play with colours and make their unique creation and each wl be a master piece initself as all tie dyed pieces look wonderful no matter you did mistake while dyeing or tieing .See how interesting is this and pls look when you get yr dupattas dyed from one of yr local dyer....

Indian Pride

Shalwar kameez is the traditional dress of Pakistani men and women. The Indian version of shalwar kameez is "indian salwar kameez". The dress has two parts: the kameez (tunic) and shalwar (pants). Women also wear a dupatta (long scarf) around the neck with shalwar kameez. Shalwar are essentially loose trousers.
Tight-bottomed shalwar is known as "churidar". Kameez is a long shirt or tunic. Recently, western women have been drawn to the comfortable elegance of shalwar kameez. Even stars such as Jennifer Lopez and Nicole Kidman have made public appearances in it! Recently, there has been a revolution in fashion that has revitalized this dress. Many variations of the basic theme have emerged, such as trouser suit, short kurta, and more. Indian and Pakistani fashion magazines tout the latest shalwar kameez fashions.

Fashion Design

Fashion designers, who have mastered the principles of fashion design, go on to create the trends that we see displayed at fashion shows, and featured in magazines, such as InStyle and Vogue. The designs could be as serious as the times or as sexy as they want to be. The principles of fashion design do evolve with the changing tastes of society. Sometimes it is up to fashion designers to give consumers a little nudge in the right direction, as far as seasonal colors, trends and style go. More than often, fashion designers must pay attention to the changing desires on the streets. Many times designers are able to draw from the public when searching for ideas to use with respect to the current principles of fashion design. The principles of fashion design come into play when a designer sits down to create a sketch of their latest creation. The principles always state that every creation starts with a sketch. A special desire to create a certain type of garment may exist, or maybe the idea surfaced from outside contact involving street trends. Inspiration comes in many different ways, with designers drawing from the past, movies, magazines, as well as current events.

When the sketch becomes a visual on a computer screen, numerous principles of fashion design are incorporated. Design software creates a graphic, which patternmakers and tailors can follow in order to develop a sample. This is when a designer can see their ideas and creations in the flesh. This will then give them a chance to alter things that do not materialize in the way that they expected. If the designer is successful in incorporating the principles of fashion design with this experience, they may produce a sample suitable for acceptance into a clothing line

Flash on Denim

Key points for denim:: source from promostyl
Sophistication through ColorDenim has now been fully integrated in our city wardrobe, either worn with a sleek blazer or any style of tops. This sophistication has been seen through the presence of darker, chicer colors such as indigo or double-dyed darks, giving even more rock-n-roll styles a classier look.As far as colored jeans, light grey has definitely replaced bleached denims. The denim is sometimes made with a polyester thread running through the weave for a silvered effect. In general, the washed out look is achieved through over-dye or sodium treatments, to create a uniformed look on the fabric. A grey flannel emorised finish is a key look for this winter season. Army style denim can be seen in a variety of caramel shades and dark honeys or in washed vegetable dyes. Winter whites continue this season in slightly ecru or sandy tones, in a starched chic sportswear approach.
Sophistication through Fabric With the continued success of the “slim fit” look, elasthane has become indispensable in both women’s and men’s jeanswear. Elasthane can be combined with cotton, cotton/polyester blends or cotton/polyamide blends for a subtle sheen. Lycra is also being used in denim through a process called “Thermolite” developed by LAUFFENMUHLE. Not only does the stretch fiber add comfort, but on black denim, it leaves fine white traces which give the garment a rock n roll feel. Tencel is making a comeback in the casual denim market. Its easy-care properties combined with its subtle feel make it an attractive choice for jeanswear. There are a variety of natural blends, such as linen with denim. There are also more sophisticated blends using silk or cashmere in the luxury casual market. In the same vein is Pima cotton which has a high-end look and feel. TISSAGE DE QUINTENAS has developed flats with an anti-mosquito treatment.
Sophistication through Style - a tailored style with banker’s pinstripe- a casual chic style using the subtle fluidity of Tencel denim- a rock n roll style with leather look denim with metallic touches- a trashy luxe style which has a used, almost dirty look to the denim. This effect is achieved through over-dying with a greenish tone or through enzyme washes.

Fashion And You

Everybody is blessed with their own style and personality and how they carry their look with simple clothes.One has to understand their body structure and their facial features and complexion while dressing up .A person with the unique style with the elegance of simplicity will steal every ones heart ...